Watts Towers rewards a closer look at the materials in Simon Rodia's work

Image: Archival detail photograph of Watts Towers dated September 23, 2012; it does not show current conservation or campus construction conditions.

From a distance, Watts Towers reads as a group of remarkable forms against the sky. Closer inspection shifts attention to the surfaces: fragments of ceramic, glass and other materials brought into an intricate built artwork by Simon Rodia.

The Watts Towers Arts Center's tour program describes Rodia's work across thirty-three years and places it in the cultural history of Watts. Entry inside the towers' gates is through a guided tour, approximately thirty minutes long. The current schedule is Thursday–Saturday, with specific departure times, limited capacity and first-come ticket sales.

The tour page lists general admission at twelve dollars, with discounted and youth categories available to confirm at the ticket desk, and accepts cash or check. Tours do not operate on rainy days or observed federal holidays; call 213-847-4646 if conditions make availability uncertain.

The city says the campus reopened in July 2026 after a temporary closure, while renovations continue toward a planned spring 2028 completion. Check current access before visiting and follow staff guidance around the work. Allow the tour to be about both making and maintenance: keeping an extraordinary artwork available requires ongoing care as well as admiration.

Sources and visit details

• Watts Towers Arts Center: guided tour access, schedule, payment and weather conditions
• Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs: campus reopening and continuing renovation

Photo: Levi Clancy / Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; the site wordmark may be added in display.